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The Riddle of Tanglewood Manor (Tracey Hawkins, Storytorch) 

The Riddle of Tanglewood Manor is a new younger readers novel from real-life detective-turned-children’s author Tracey Hawkins. When Sam and Harry’s parents tell them they’re moving, it sounds like an exciting new adventure. But when the family pulls up to Tanglewood Manor, they feel like they belong in a horror movie. As their parents renovate the 150-year-old country house, the brothers start reluctantly exploring. There is plenty of tension as they discover that some things aren’t quite right, especially when Harry starts sensing things that aren’t really there. It turns out Harry is onto something. The boys soon become trapped in a secret wing of the house and sucked into an alternate version of Tanglewood Manor through a dusty old book. What follows is their daring journey to escape, with plenty of riddles to solve along the way. The historical references add an extra layer to the narrative, with the opportunity for humour when the kids’ modern lives conflict with the new one they’ve found themselves in. The family dynamics are well written, and this would be a perfect book to share or read aloud among adults and children. Sam and Harry have a relatable sibling bond, and they grow closer as their time-travelling caper progresses. The Riddle of Tanglewood Manor would suit readers aged seven and up who like a mysterious adventure tale that follows the much-appreciated conventions of the genre, including a satisfying conclusion. 

Karys McEwen is the library manager at Prahran and Richmond High School and the president of the CBCA VIC Branch. 

 

Category: Junior Reviews